Plastic windows to the balcony: interesting options for double-glazed windows in the interior of the room

Today, no one uses the balcony and loggia as a storage room for old skis, broken washing machines or sledges. Most often, this is the same room as the living room or kitchen in an apartment. In this small area, the happy owners of their own square meters strive to create coziness, which means that they cannot do without glazing. How to choose plastic windows for the balcony?

When choosing a balcony glazing, take into account the purpose of the balcony space, the desired design and your financial capabilities

Why glazing a loggia?

Indeed, such a question has a right to exist. After all, just a few decades ago, there was no question of any glazing. Ordinary balconies or loggias were used for drying clothes or as a storage room. And then these functions were available, at best, six months a year, since due to rains or snowfalls the rest of the time it was not always possible to go to the balcony.

Balcony glazing is a fairly simple and affordable way for everyone to increase the usable area of ​​an apartment.

The result of the glazing of the balcony will be a comfortable room, which can become an extension of the kitchen, living room or bedroom.

So why has the use of double-glazed windows on loggias become so popular?

1. First of all, you get an additional closed space (practically a room), which you use as you wish.
2. And even if your balcony remains a pantry, you can store anything on it without worrying about the safety of things.
3. Thanks to the glazing of the loggia, it will be warmer in the apartment itself, as heat loss will decrease.
4. The apartment becomes safe (this is especially true if you have small children).
5. If desired, the loggia can easily be converted into a full-fledged living space.

Types of plastic windows

Any plastic window is designed very simply: a profile and a double-glazed window, as they say, nothing superfluous. The only difference is in the design. It can be rotary, sliding, folding and swing-out.

Balcony glazing can consist of fixed and opening sashes. The latter are needed so that the windows can be washed and maintained, as well as to ventilate the balcony space

The best choice would be to install swing-flaps equipped with multiple opening modes.

A significant difference from double-glazed windows installed in rooms is the size. For a loggia, frames of a larger area are used. In this case, a small frame is made functional (or opening). More and more popular recently are sliding frames, like a wardrobe.

An important advantage of sliding systems is that their sashes do not require free space to open.

The main disadvantage of compartment windows is low tightness due to the peculiarities of the sliding mechanism

What to look for

Today, a huge number of companies offer their glazing services. So, in order not to get into a mess, you should carefully read the reviews about the company, with work experience, see the gallery of finished projects. Any self-respecting company will be happy to help you make sure that it is it that is worthy of your trust.

When choosing a plastic window for a balcony, you should give preference to trusted manufacturers

So, what to pay special attention to:

• Manufacturer. Someone thinks that there is no point in overpaying for a "promoted" brand, while others are sure that many years of work in the market are the best recommendations. Of course, the choice is yours, but time-tested manufacturers such as Veka (a company with an impeccable reputation) or Rehau (a German manufacturer, considered a leader in this field) values ​​their reputation and hardly you disappoint.

• The quality of the fittings. Hardware manufacturers deserve your attention too. According to experts, the service life of plastic windows largely depends on the quality of the fittings. Time-tested ROTO, MACO or WINKHAUS are extremely attentive to the requirements of their customers. Moreover, the aforementioned companies have earned the favor of not only Russian consumers. They fulfill orders in the shortest possible time and are attentive to the packaging.
  

  Low-quality fittings, as a rule, will require replacement during the operation of a plastic window

• Profile thickness. The optimal parameters when attaching a loggia are about 70 mm (two-chamber). However, such a model weighs a lot, therefore, if partitions do not allow installing a two-chamber profile, choose a single-chamber one, but with heat-saving glasses or with argon.

Another important nuance: if you install windows on a large loggia at a height from the tenth floor and above, then additional conditions will be required. For example, there is a strong wind at this level, which means that insulating glass units need to be additionally reinforced with profiles and reinforcement. And working at such a height will require professional skills and the necessary tools from the masters.

It is better to entrust the installation of balcony windows to professionals.

Advantages and disadvantages of PVC windows

We list just some of the advantages of PVC windows for a loggia:

1. Reliability and long service life.
2. Tightness - through such windows, the heat from the house does not seep into the street.
3. Excellent sound insulation.
4. Maintenance of plastic frames is practically not required.
5. It is possible to choose any window set: make both sashes openable, or only one, or maybe make the structure "blind". In addition, different opening options allow you to adapt the glazing to any area of ​​the loggia and shape. "A light movement of the hand" provides ventilation: light, barely perceptible, or aggressive.
6. The colors are chosen according to your wishes.
7. Affordable construction cost.

Unfortunately, double-glazed windows also have disadvantages:

1. If the room is not regularly ventilated, the air stagnates and smells.
2. Condensation is likely to occur in the event of sudden temperature changes.
3. Since the plastic frames are wider, the glazed area will be slightly smaller.
4. When installing double-glazed windows without observing the established norms, the windows quickly fail.
5. Plastic is a highly electrostatic material.

Cold or warm

Glazing is made in "warm" or "cold" versions.

Both types of glazing have their own advantages and disadvantages.

In general, the names speak for themselves. In the "warm" version, the loggia becomes a full-fledged room, and in the "cold" version it is not suitable for living. The latter is the most inexpensive glazing option, the profiles are made of aluminum raw materials. And with heat, not one, but two, three or even five packet windows are installed. And yet, each option has both advantages and disadvantages.

First of all, you should determine how the balcony space is supposed to be used.

Cold glazing will be quite enough to organize a cozy summer recreation area on the balcony

In the case of combining a balcony with a living room, you cannot do without warm glazing

Pros and cons of cold glazing

Advantage of "cold" glazing:

• Structural strength.
• Ease. Such profiles do not require additional strengthening of the system, or obtaining permission for the installation of the general structure.
• It guarantees a long period of operation.
• If you wish, you can save space by making the sash sliding.
• Doesn't require serious maintenance.
• Reliably protects from rainfall, dirt and dust, as well as from the wind.
• Wide range of colors and designs.
• If you make plastic windows on the loggia "with a take-out", you will be able to expand the space.

With cold glazing, a thin single-chamber double-glazed unit is installed

With a thin glass unit, a semblance of a cold summer veranda is obtained, where the temperature is not much different from that of the street.

Flaws:

• Low thermal insulation, which also affects the temperature in the room adjacent to the balcony. In winter, the temperature on such a balcony is practically equal to the "overboard" indicators.
• In the autumn-winter period, ice may freeze on the shutters, which complicates the process of opening and closing the frames.

A cold-glazed balcony is reliably protected from precipitation, but the temperature regime in the resulting room directly depends on the weather outside the window

Features of warm glazing

Advantages of "warm" glazing:

• High performance of thermal insulation: retains existing heat and does not allow cold to penetrate inside.
• On a well-insulated balcony, it is possible to equip any room: dressing room, bedroom or kitchen. This is a great opportunity to make your apartment a little bigger.
• A rich palette of colors.
• Reliability of construction.
• Long period of operation.

In warm glazing systems, a multi-chamber glass unit is used.

It makes sense to use warm glazing on insulated balconies

With warm windows, a full-fledged living space opens onto the balcony, which can be used at your own discretion

And a little about the sad: there are also disadvantages:

• The large weight of the structure, and, as a result, the impossibility of installation in old houses, since the plates simply cannot withstand such a load.
• The swing type of window frames (and in the warm version, only it is used) reduces the area.
• The thick frame prevents enough light from entering.
• High construction cost.
• The need for additional investments in interior decoration and insulation. Most often, these are also impressive amounts.

Warm glazing in an old building may simply be impossible due to the condition of the balcony slab

Today, plastic windows on loggias are not a luxury, but a necessity. An obvious fact: even serious financial investments will pay off. Trust us, your comfort and safety are priceless. And taking into account the recommendations of professionals in this field, you will be able to turn an ordinary balcony into a cozy place.

Having weighed all the pros and cons of different options, each apartment owner must determine for himself what kind of glazing he needs on the balcony

Video: How to choose plastic windows on the balcony

Photos of interiors of balconies with plastic windows